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| Coach Wayne Gigante |
What does "extreme parental interference" mean? You and I could probably figure out what that means, but it's better coming from the coach himself. Here is what Coach Gigante told the Detroit News about his departure:
"That team is so capable of winning the state championship and it's killing me to step down since I've helped build something special the last 2 1/2 years. I've been coaching basketball for 10 years and never had a problem with a player. We know what we want to do. We know what the kids are capable of doing. I had a good feel for this team, but I can't do it anymore. There can only be one voice, and that has to be the coach. You can't have kids looking up in the stands for instructions. It's too much of a disruption. Dad needs to be up in the stands supporting his kids, not coaching them. This has been building up and it was just time. Maybe the pressure will be off the players now. Kids are supposed to have fun."
I've never had the pleasure of meeting Coach Gigante, but his sentiments are spot-on. He echoed exactly what's been said by the Sports Commission, NAIA, Positive Coaching Alliance, and many others. Kids want and need to have fun when participating in sports. Having mom and dad yell instructions from the stands is not fun. In this case, a successful coach stepped down because the environment wasn't fun for kids. There is, however, a simple, three-word solution to this problem - Know. Your. Role. You can be an athlete, coach, official or fan. Choose one and respect the others. Go to sportsmanship.org and click the Get Involved icon. Download the Through A Child's Eyes booklet and make as many copies as you need for every adult in your organization. Learn why knowing our roles is so important for our kids' success on and off the field or court. We all know good coaches are hard to find - especially if they're running away from you. Make a positive change today. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
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